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Topic: Is it flare, internal reflections or a ghost (Read 15522 times)

I have a new camera and new lens photographing an old subject matter. Since the new camera+lens (Canon 6D and Canon 24-105 f4 L) I have been getting a green ghost image(s). Does anyone know what this is and how to avoid it?

It looks like internal reflections of the really bright lights on the bridge and the wharf.

On this photo are two examples of the problem:- Top centre green boxes (5)- Centre centre green dots (7) that appear just above the bridges archAny and all help appreciated.

You mention other images that have this, can you show them? It does look like some sort of internal lens reflection. Those bright lights below the bridge are pointing right at you, and its obviously a long exposure, so even a very minimal reflection will show up.

Agreed, definitely reflections. If you use this image and the drawn centre by Arjay, you will find less obvious (fainter) reflections of the lights as well. They are not stars as they are stationary and not starting to have a trail like the few stars you can see.These happen with most lenses when pointed towards or at a bright light source. Night photography makes them far more obvious because the bright light reflection(s) inevitably end up on a dark sky. Sometimes you just cannot avoid them.To fix, I use Lightroom to spot heal where I can.

Some lenses have more flare and internal reflections than others. Manufacturers try to cut down on this with coated lenses and whatnot, but, you can't really eliminate this flare with the lens you have. (Photoshopping it out of the sky isn't hard, other places maybe harder...)

Thank you all. I tried several lens/camera/exposure combinations this morning and found only my most expensive 24-105 Canon L lens produced this problem and only when I have (relatively) bright light in the subject. Most disappointed that the lens does not manage the internal reflections better. Though on balance I still like my new lens.

Most disappointed that the lens does not manage the internal reflections better.

Flare/Reflection control is a very underrated characteristic of a lens and seldom mentioned - the 24-105 is general purpose, so it probably was not the main design concern. For dedicated landscape lenses it's different, that's why I'm very happy with my 17-40L which doesn't show any flare or reflection (yet) no matter where you point it...